Cricket legend Brian Charles Lara was yesterday honoured by the University of the West Indies, St Augustine, and conferred with a Doctor of Laws for his outstanding contribution to cricket and country.
The world record holder and former captain of the West Indies cricket team dedicated his achievement to his Fatima College principal Clive Pantin.
"Mr Pantin, for giving me the opportunity to marry my sporting prowess with academic achievement, something I was not doing before, I stand before you all today, and Mr Pantin was the reason for this," said Lara.
Lara shared the anecdote of his first meeting with Pantin.
"My father got a meeting with Mr Pantin and started the conversation saying that he had a future cricket star, to which Mr Pantin said, 'I don't want just a cricket star.'"
Lara, who admitted that he was "a little nervous", said yesterday's occasion was a momentous day in the Lara family. His siblings and daughter were in the audience, but Lara did say he wished he could share the day with his parents, Pearl and Bunty Lara, now deceased.
Lara had some words of encouragement for his fellow graduates in the class of 2011.
"We come from different backgrounds but what unites us is our common drive to make a positive contribution to the world," he said.
He shared with them his survival toolkit for life: six lessons he had learnt through his experiences.
"Set high hopes for yourself and so do not underestimate your capabilities. Be disciplined and work hard. Have confidence. Be competitive but never compromise your morals. Maintain a positive attitude. And always remain humble — don't let success change you," said Lara.
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